Gov. Dannel P. Malloy greets State Rep. William Tong and his daughter, Penelope Tong, during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic City Committee headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, April 6, 2014. less

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy greets State Rep. William Tong and his daughter, Penelope Tong, during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic City Committee headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, ... more

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy greets Silvia Fernandez-Stein and her grandson Mateo Smith-Stein during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic City Committee headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, April 6, 2014. less

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy greets Silvia Fernandez-Stein and her grandson Mateo Smith-Stein during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic City Committee headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, ... more

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy addresses a crowd of supporters as Democratic City Committee Chairman John Mallozzi, left, and Mayor David Martin look on during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic City Committee headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, April 6, 2014. less

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy addresses a crowd of supporters as Democratic City Committee Chairman John Mallozzi, left, and Mayor David Martin look on during the governor's campaign kickoff party at the Democratic ... more

STAMFORD -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy came back to his hometown where he served 14 years as mayor Sunday seeking the support of dozens of Stamford and Fairfield County Democrats for a second term leading the state, saying he wants to continue policies that have moved Connecticut toward its economic potential.

"I'm so happy to be back in Stamford, kicking off this campaign with so many of my friends," said Malloy.

Malloy said voters should recognize that despite a rough economic climate, job creation has grown and the state has invested heavily to improve education on all levels. And, Malloy said, he helped navigate through a budget crisis and a big deficit run up by his Republican predecessor, Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

"Connecticut had a $3.6 billion deficit, the greatest deficit in the nation on a per-capita basis," Malloy said. "I tell you that just to put things in perspective about how far we've come in a relatively short period of time."

After rebuffing questions for several months about his political intentions, Malloy announced two weeks ago that he and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman would seek re-election.

"We should not turn back over the keys to the people who ran us into the ditch to begin with," Malloy said. "I want our (children and grandchildren) to grow up in a state where we're growing the economy, growing jobs, and (to) be in the process of not having to rely on additional taxes, but, quite frankly, being able to cut some of the taxes we had to raise to right the boat."

On entering the headquarters, Malloy spent 20 minutes greeting the assembled crowd, including Democratic town committee chairmen from Westport, Darien, and Greenwich, before addressing the gathering. Malloy said he needs his backers to begin helping him to raise the $250,000 needed for his campaign to qualify for public financing.

"I'm asking you for your help and assistance while we are getting ready for what will be a tough campaign," Malloy said. "Making hard decisions is never easy; we've made those hard decisions and are about to enjoy the fruit of our labors."

Mayor David Martin, in a brief introduction of Malloy, alluded jokingly to the fact that the University of Connecticut's men's and women's basketball teams are both contending for the NCAA championship this week.

"We've spent a significant amount of time, the governor and I, talking about important policy issues, and you should follow up specifically about his opinion about the UConn ball team," Martin said. "He has some strong opinions about that, I absolutely agree with."

John Mallozzi, chairman of the Democratic City Committee, said that Malloy initiatives like Next Generation Connecticut -- which is investing $1.5 billion in UConn Stamford and other campuses to bolster science, technology, engineering and math programs -- is one example of the governor making wise choices for the state's future.

"He loves Stamford, he loves Connecticut and he loves his job," Mallozzi said, "and he never does anything without being prepared, and is there for all of us all the time."

Malloy said that, in part, his rationale for waiting to make his re-election effort official was to avoid distractions during his recent successful effort to get the General Assembly to enact legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.

"I didn't want to politicize that issue unduly," Malloy said. "I talked to Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman several times about when is the right time to start the campaign, and this seemed like the right time."

Stamford city Rep. Phil Giordano, D-10, and a delegate for the city committee, said that Malloy has earned a second term and that local Democrats are going to work hard for his re-election.

"I think he has made a very good case to be re-elected, and in his leadership has been out there working to improve life for the average person," Giordano said. "I hope the public will realize what a good job he has done."